Shoulder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder DJD was evaluated at 30 percent, but the evidence did not show arm motion limited to 25 degrees from the side. As a result, his claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a head injury, lumbar spine disability, and related conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records indicate he had headaches in service but no definitive diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's neck disability was granted a 30 percent rating prior to November 27, 2019.,A higher rating for the neck disability is denied from November 27, 2019 onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU prior to December 20, 2017. The Board found that he was actually working at that time and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder limitation of motion prior to August 17, 2018 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity during flare-ups.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and an incorrect use of the 'clear and unmistakable' standard in determining whether the Veteran's preexisting right shoulder condition was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and shoulder conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and a right shoulder strain with internal derangement were denied as there was no evidence to support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's heart disability was denied as it did not manifest in-service or within one year after separation, and is not shown to be causally related to service.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability was denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is directly related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and back disorder as secondary to his service-connected endolymphatic hydrops due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied, and the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, GIST, and GERD are all denied. The claim to reopen service connection for a left elbow and bilateral hand disorder was granted due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives and a need for further examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bone disorders, including shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to higher ratings prior to October 2, 2013 and beginning February 1, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to service, including her right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities. The case will be sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right shoulder and liver disabilities due to failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is advised to cooperate in the development of his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the submission of new medical evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The issues include service connection for various foot, ankle, back, wrist, skin, and shoulder conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a muscle condition of the shoulders and elbows, finding no current disability at any time during the pendency of the claim.